Nice approach! (Although poor Julie, who was teased incessantly about her last name in grade school, might not agree.)
–
Lynn BeighleyApr 13 '11 at 12:39

I like the idea, it does detract from the technical feel but gives it a much more creative and original feel. It'll come down to how the creator wants the writing to come off.
–
Adam CaverhillApr 19 '11 at 19:39

I've seen this technique in the "For Dummies" line long ago... it's a very good one.
–
iajrzApr 21 '11 at 13:21

Typically, a user is probably the best generic term since it is an accepted convention. However, depending on the context, look at using more specific words. For example, use the word "developer" when talking about something that is likely to be used by that particular group. Consider using "partners" as the term you use for the audiences you mention. When features overlap in usage with different groups you can then say, "developers and partners can then ...". Being more specific about who you are addressing will make your text more meaningful and personal.

Lately, I've been favoring the term "you" because, after all, the doc is addressed to the reader, to YOU, no question.

I've usedemployedwritten hidden behind the third-person "users," I think, because I haven't had the writing balls to address the target of the writing directly. For me, it takes courage to speak confidently and directly and sometimes forcefully to YOU but when I read something that's addressed to ME I'm happy and satisfied. There is no way I can misunderstand the writing. Second-person writing doesn't equivocate, it's not wishy-washy or queasy-squeezy or spongey.

Compare two versions that aim to instruct:

The actor should speak the speech as I pronounced it to him, trippingly on the tongue.
But if the actor should mouth it, as many of our players do, I had as lief the
town crier spoke my lines. Nor should the actor saw the air too much with his hand,
thus ...

Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to you, trippingly on the tongue.
But if you mouth it, as many of our players do, I had as lief the town crier spoke
my lines. Nor do not saw the air too much with your hand ...

Second-person writing is strong and direct. There's no missing the meaning behind YOU.

Think of generic third-person ways to describe the people who would be using it and sprinkle those in. Keep in mind that users is probably the best overall generic word to use here, so it should be the most frequently used descriptor.

I came across some advice on technical writing that said you should talk about users - that is, real people by using "you". You can then refer to the system in the third person.

The problem occurs often in the unix system admin world that you need to create user accounts for different purposes. For example instead of using "root" you may need to create a separate system account (for example, appuser) to own certain processes but that nevertheless does not have root level rights to the entire system. Developers often refer to these types of accounts as users as well just to confuse things.